With much of the focus surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans in recent weeks being the head coaching rumors before the team hired Stan Van Gundy, there hasn’t been nearly as much focus on the team’s upcoming draft pick. In the 2020 NBA Draft, the Pelicans hold the No. 13 pick, the penultimate pick in the lottery.
While a number of different names have been projected to the Pelicans in various mock drafts, New Orleans’ eyes may be on something much bigger. In the latest episode of The Ringer’s NBA Show, Kevin O’Connor revealed that the Pelicans are one of many teams looking to move up in the draft.
“(The Pelicas are) in an interesting situation. They’re one of the many teams looking to trade up from the late lottery.”
There has been hardly any indication at all who the Pelicans might target if they’re looking to trade up. The team would likely be targeting wings and shooting and there are a number of intriguing names higher up in the lottery.
Deni Avdija is the top wing in the draft, but is expecting to be one of the first names called after the top three prospects. Devin Vassell is a name that has been projected to the Pelicans in the past and could be a player the team targets as well.
Obi Toppin is an athletic big that could be a target for New Orleans if they’re looking to acquire talent over fit. The same goes for a player like Onyeka Okongwu, who could help the team fill a need at center should they not re-sign Derrick Favors.
New Orleans would have the treasure trove of draft picks and young players necessary to move up in the draft. Between their host of young guards and picks acquired in trades last off-season, the Pelicans could likely target any player outside of the top three.
There are any number of interesting prospects the team could be targeting as one of the final pieces to put them over the top in a race for the playoffs next season.
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